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Hoge, Baker lead C-I past Panthers

Park Rapids' Jordan Bergquist (11) put up a jump shot during Tuesday night's game against Crosby-Ironton.

A 9-0 run midway through the second half sparked Crosby-Ironton to a 77-62 Mid-State Conference boys basketball victory over Park Rapids Tuesday night at the Area High School gym.

Two 3-pointers by Caleb Baker and another by Jasper Schmidt helped the Rangers jump out to a 22-13 lead. Christian Ridlon led the Panthers with 10 points in the first 7:44 of the game.

Jumpers by Ridlon and Scott Wolff and layups by Josh Crist and Tyler Ridlon kept the Panthers within 30-21 at the 7:50 mark. A jumper and four free throws by Kyle Goplerud made it 34-28 with 4:55 to play before C-I closed the first half with a 6-3 run to carry a 40-31 lead into the break.

Two free throws by Andy Waller, a basket off a rebound by Chris Goplerud, a layup by Christian Ridlon, jumpers by Austin Carlson and Crist, and a layup by Kyle Goplerud pulled the Panthers to within 49-43 with 12:39 to play.

A jumper by Kyle Goplerud and three inside baskets by Christian Ridlon kept Park Rapids within 60-51 with 8:08 remaining before a 3-pointer by Schmidt sparked a 9-0 run as C-I led 69-51 with 5:24 left.

Wolff, Waller and Cory Gartner combined to hit eight free throws down the stretch as the Panthers fell to 0-7 in conference games.

Christian Ridlon led the Panthers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Goplerud scored 11 points and had six rebounds, Chris Goplerud grabbed seven rebounds and Mason Long had five assists for the Panthers, who fell to 1-12 on the season.

Michael Hoge scored 21 points and Baker added 19 points for the Rangers, who improved to 2-4 in the conference and 8-7 overall.